What lap steel guitar tuning should you use to start out? (And what they all sound like.)

What tuning should you use on lap steel guitar to start out? (And what they all sound like.)
A guide / lesson for beginning students of the lap steel guitar.

[@AlexSB66]

You are a legend for this one. Guitarist here wanting to learn lap steel, heard about all the tunings, you made it easy to figure out the vibe and benefits of each of them. Thanks so much!

[@texas_swing]

That's great, glad it can help you! If you check out some of the other videos I posted, it should help you get going. Good luck!

[@oddshot60]

Thank you very much. Looking forward to more vids, especially in C6.

[@portsideguitar1981]

Informative! Thanks for putting this together.

[@texas_swing]

Thanks for watching!

[@ingom6397]

Great info, various turnings always eluded me 👍

[@texas_swing]

Thanks for watching!

[@jf9375]

thank you! so grateful for the one-stop for everything i need to know to start. all those licks you played is exactly why i want to learn! all the best to you and your followers.

[@texas_swing]

Thanks for watching, and all the best to you, too!

[@BDX2BDX2]

Thank you for the vid. Just got my 6 string rogue (love picking up different instruments) and can't wait to try it out !!!!!!

[@texas_swing]

Great, I think you'll enjoy it!

[@fntsmk]

Love your channel Brother Shaw. Liked and subscribed. Thanks for the help for us beginners!

[@texas_swing]

Thank you and I'm glad it's helping!

[@ScrewballMcAdams]

Really helpful. Thanks!

[@robert3325]

A great help thank you.❤

[@texas_swing]

Glad it helped!

[@bridgeberne3969]

Thanks for this. Waitin for that video on 8-string tunings!

[@texas_swing]

Thanks for watching! That'll be coming up...

[@bboy327]

Thanks Ethan, can not wait to retune my Harmony and get krankin'!

[@anthonymcgill8035]

Cool stuff, man. Enjoy the content.

[@texas_swing]

thanks for watching!

[@claytonwodham6916]

Thank you very much for being so generous with your time. Watched the other with the 3 lap string choices, their inventory is taking a beating, need to find one on local online market to get around shipping and the exchange to Canadian.

[@texas_swing]

Thanks for watching! Yeah, sometimes you just have to wait for the right one to show up.

[@Stephen-zx4uf]

Very helpful. Thank you so much.

[@texas_swing]

Thanks for watching!

[@craigmoos5658]

Thank You! Very informative!

[@texas_swing]

Glad it can help you out- thanks for watching!

[@robert3325]

Great, thanks.

[@HawaiianSteelGuitar]

Great stuff Ethan, this kind of info is exactly what the novice steel player needs ! And thanks for mentioning A-Higbass 😊!

[@texas_swing]

Thanks, Sebastian! I was actually thinking of you when I mentioned that. You're definitely showing everyone what can be done with that tuning!

[@HawaiianSteelGuitar]

@@texas_swing Thanks for the kind words, Ethan, love your playing !

[@MrBobbyFreakout]

Omg, im a getting into lap steel, and ive lazily tuned to dadgad and havent been “getting” it, im changing as soon as i get the chance! Thank you ❤

[@texas_swing]

Great, I hope this helps you out!

[@gospodine]

Thank you !

[@picker63028]

Excellent subject and great demo. Love the 6th tunings. Very interested in your 8 string stuff. Thanks

[@texas_swing]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@ChiTownJerry]

Thanks!

[@hot88s23]

Thanks. C6 it is, for my ancient Supro.

[@reckonimokie123]

Good info. Thx

[@texas_swing]

Thanks for watching!

[@kevinsmith4545]

Great vid thanks .

[@texas_swing]

Thanks for watching, Kevin!

[@mootbooxle]

You're a great player!

[@texas_swing]

thank you!

[@davidsparks6146]

Thank you! I'm just starting out with lap steel. This is a big help. I bought a 1956 Fender Champion and a Road King with a Certano note bender. My goal is to learn Mercury Blues by Davis Lindley.

[@texas_swing]

It's a great feeling when you get it down. Have fun!

[@dbs3278]

A worthy goal!

[@adamrobinson8620]

Great video. Thanks. I intend to explore C6, but let me meantime plug a variant of your open G, which I got from rock guitarist David Gilmour. He does an open G with a low D at bottom, but he also tunes the top D up to an E. I’m finding it has a couple of advantages over open G. First, the top four strings are the same as guitar standard tuning, so familiar. Secondly, you have a minor triad in the top four strings. Future video ideas, your tone is great. I’d love to see you share more techniques for how you get it, and also show how you sound on a cheap vs expensive lap steel.

[@texas_swing]

Gilmour really uses the steel in a cool way, and definitely knows what's up! Thanks for the compliment- both those steels are just cheap lap steels, played through a blues jr. Have fun on your steel journey!

[@donniestephens4768]

I tuned mine in G, Major,Has work for me for over 30 years, good l uck!

[@faisaldhariwal1510]

Really enjoyed this. Had my electromatic around a year now, learning c6 pretty much everything I love works, Hank w, Webb Pierce etc, thanks so much for the video it's very helpful especially as I'm saving for a dobro at present

[@texas_swing]

I'm glad it helped you out!

[@thomasrodante3602]

Thank you.

[@robertmerritt5507]

I just purchased a 6 string lap steel and I'm LOST. Looking forward to more videos from you. Thank you 👍🙂

[@texas_swing]

Hang in there, you'll get it!

[@texas_swing]

check out my 12 bar blues video- it should help get you going.

[@robertmerritt5507]

@@texas_swing Thanks for your information and I look forward to viewing it. ☺️

[@texas_swing]

@@robertmerritt5507 My pleasure, brother!

[@muddysludge7117]

Bravo!

[@texas_swing]

Thanks for watching!

[@TonyfromBham]

I love the 8-String A6 tuning.

[@texas_swing]

me too.

[@DavidMFChapman]

I was persuaded to tune my National Tricone to C6 by a pedal steel player. What I like is that it is an Am above a C major, with three inversions each. I have left it that way because it is so versatile and playable in any key.

[@texas_swing]

C6 is a great tuning.

[@DeanPickersgill]

Wow, you sold me! 😀 Great instructional video sir, been thinking about giving one a try, now I'm definately going to, thanks!

[@texas_swing]

Glad to help- have fun!

[@josecorisco1]

The C6 is so cool!

[@texas_swing]

agreed!

[@UncleCaptainMidnight]

C6/A6 - Jerry Byrd / Herb Remington

[@texas_swing]

Yep!

[@majorpayne8373]

B-11. It's the best.

[@Romans--bo7br]

Ethan... Love your video's, and thank you especially for this one! I will be 74 yrs "young" in just a week and a half from now... and decided to "try" and get back onto the Electric Bass just last year (2022), after Not having played since 18 yrs old.... I also want to learn Lap/console Steel, so I've been looking around for a lap steel to practice on. After watching Your video on the best beginner steels to get... I bought an SX - an Epiphone Electar... A Rogue, a Gretsch 5715 and an "el cheapo" ($146.) double neck 6 from Ebay (which I've wired in a neck selection/isolation switch and 2 new Strat pickups, tone pot and changed the capacitor... tuners are next), as well as a 1956 National D8, which I just got for trading the Rogue & the Gretsch 5715 (Black Sparkle), both of which were "pre-owned", but in excellent shape. I did Not like the Gretsch for the fact that I felt the strings were too close together for my big hands & fingers.... anyway, I have the National all apart already and am going to do a complete refurbishing on it from the inside/out.. along with new strings, which I already have (selected for C6, A6, open E, D & G (low bass) after it's all done.... just don't know yet, which Two tunings I should apply to it. As a complete "newbie" to steel, and wanting to focus on & play... Classic Country (late 50's through late 70's/early-mid 80's), Western/Texas Swing & Blue Grass.... what would be Your number one choice of tuning for all or each of these genre's.... as an absolute Beginner, to Learn On? Would you suggest just learning on ONE lap steel, with just One tuning and IF so, Which Tuning would be Best suited and easiest to learn on.... or is it possible (or even recommended?) to learn more than one tuning at once?..... bottom line is... HELLLLP!?! lol. Any and all suggestions Will Be greatly appreciated!!.... considering all I've written here. Thanks for your time, Ethan... and any helpful input you can send my way..... I "may be" confusing my own situation (Ya THINK?!!?) with too many "options" in front of me... too soon. PS: I have stocked up on numerous string sets (23, altogether) in different & duplicate (in case of breakage) tunings for 6 & 8 string steels.... can you help me "sort this out" and get it Simplified.... so I can start learning the steel? Thanks again... Greatly Appreciate your time & suggestions/tips, etc.

[@texas_swing]

I'd stick with just one main steel guitar to start with. whatever your favorite one is. For 6 strings, I'd start with C6. There's a lot of instructional material and it's really versatile. If you ever move into 8 strings, A6 is my favorite, but you can easily translate your C6 knowledge into that. Have fun on your journey, and I'll try to post some more videos to help along the way!

[@Romans--bo7br]

@@texas_swing.... Ethan, Thank you So Much for your reply, I really appreciate it.... and forgive me for my slow response back to you.. I just found it (7.3.2023) after re-watching this video again. I'm taking your advice and going to learn the C6 tuning. I'm replacing the original (Chinese) strings on my Epiphone Electar as I write this (well... stopped while I reply, here), with a new set of SIT's ("Scotty's") gauged for C6 tuning. I've also tuned my SX to C6 as well, but I think the Epiphone will be my "go to" while learning... I prefer the tone quality it produces better than the SX.... it seems to have a "sweeter/mellower" tone to it. The pickup on the SX is pretty "hot"... and I'm considering changing it out for a much better quality setup.... perhaps a good P-90, coupled with a Humbucker and attendant switch & controls.... which I Love doing, anyway. lol I just bought a new Fender Champion 40 w (sgl. 12" speaker) last week, to use with my Lap steels... I was using my Acoustic 100w Bass amp, out of necessity, but it was too "muddy" for use with the lighter strings of the lap steels, as well as for whenever I "mike" any of my Harmonica's. I bought the Fender Champion, due to all the voices & FX sampling, etc. that I can experiment with, as I progress with the steel... also bought a new Morley 20/20 Volume Pedal, and a Boss RV6 Reverb/Delay Pedal which I have hooked up, between the Volume pedal and the amp. I've finished completely restoring the National D8 (Double neck 8), that I mentioned in my first comment/questions to you.. and it came out beautifully.... I have "Scotty's" SIT string sets for it, in.. C6, A6, E7th & E13th... not sure what tunings I will use on it, yet..... need to learn the 6 string, first... so it's back in it's "nearly mint" condition, original Hard case for now. I've saved your YT Channel to my Lap Steel folder in my pc, and will be watching for more (hopefully) "beginner" type videos from you. I appreciate your time and work to put these videos on line.... Thanks again, and Happy(?) 4th of July, Ethan.

[@texas_swing]

@@Romans--bo7br Thanks for watching, and you, too!

[@Romans--bo7br]

@@texas_swing...... Thank you! PS; How did you get to be known as "Brother Shaw"??...... a "Brother" in the Lord? : )

[@texas_swing]

@@Romans--bo7br No problem! It was a nickname one of my best friends/bandmates gave me years ago.

[@j.schaefer5622]

C6 sounds super nice….Im hooked….

[@texas_swing]

Haha, I think you'll like it!

[@darkthingswithmarkdavis4497]

I got the 8 string SX. My journey begins! 😇

[@texas_swing]

Have fun, brother!

[@darkthingswithmarkdavis4497]

@@texas_swing Thanks, man! 😁

[@TwilightontheTrail]

Im based in Austin and play Leon McAuliffes e13 and the other neck has changed about 10 times. I started on c6 because of learning material , but I have never enjoyed the sound of c6. It's too high and lacks the perfect timbre of the a6 .lately I use Don Helms e6th and it just sounds right to my ears. With no pesky A string to avoid. Fits right in with western swing to me. Zero learning material but I have to have it. That being said , your c6 sounds way better than mine!

[@texas_swing]

Thanks for watching! I agree, I don't really like C6 with a high G because of the thin sound on top, so I usually use A6 myself ( on an 8-string neck). I do like C6 for 6-string, and I use a Don Helms type tuning (with a G# on top) a lot if I have multiple necks. It's great for that Hank stuff, but also really nice to have that high 3rd for everything.

[@reverendayglow]

I've got that same black Epiphone.

[@texas_swing]

They're nice guitars!

[@dangodro77]

merci

[@shanahmadi7242]

Hi Brother Shaw. Thanks for the video. Which tuning do you think I should use to play some Santo & Johnny songs? I mean, are there materials in one tuning more than another? Thanks.

[@texas_swing]

That stuff uses a 6th tuning, so I'd use C6 for 6 string, or C6 or A6 for 8 string.

[@michaellandreth1392]

Something I would like to see a lesson on.. You got a one of those 3 section Lap Steels in front of you with of course 3 tunings. How do you determine what one you use with what Key the song is being played in ? Does it matter if it's just a 1-4-5 or does it make a difference with a minor in there say 1-6m-4-5 ? Thanks

[@texas_swing]

You're right, that would be a good lesson, and I'll try to get on that. To give a short response for now, it mostly depends on what type of chords you need to play in the song (7th, 9th, minor, 13th, etc.) Thanks for watching, and I'll try to get into more detail in a new video.

[@perrygreen1331]

Hey Ethan, may I ask what amp and settings you are using for the Electar Century? I have one too but it doesn't sound as good as yours does! 😄

[@texas_swing]

Sure! It was through a Fender blues Jr. Turn the presence and treble all or most of the way off and use the mid as your treble.

[@bmask4731]

Thx for the info. ♥ What is the best wood for lap steel in your opinion?

[@texas_swing]

Thanks for listening! I honestly don't know. I know ash is popular, but there are great steels made out of aluminum!

[@paullaborda9780]

sound very good !!what its the ampli are you using??

[@texas_swing]

Thank you! I don't remember if I used my Fox Vintage Tweed Twin clone, or just a Blues Jr. I like both!

[@mentalitydesignvideo]

I need your advice. I am planning on installing Certano benders on the 2nd (whole step) and 3rd (half step) strings. I don't play traditional music (country, blues, etc), it's more of a Lanois ambient stuff. A lot is achieved with m7, m11, maj7, maj9 chords. The ease of using minor is very important. What tuning do you recommend?

[@texas_swing]

You might want to check out the Jerry Byrd diatonic tuning or the Alkire tuning. You can do a google search ro find our more about them. They are very dense tunings.

[@bluegrasstransport5266]

What is the best tuning for Country Gospel. I am trying to learn how to play my new lap steel its tuned in open E right now.

[@texas_swing]

That should be fine, if you can find instructional material for it. I might switch it to open G, and there are definitely dobro books you could use to learn it. Most Country Gospel is triadic harmony, so you don't necessarily need a 6th tuning, but "I saw the light" etc., sound really nice in C6 tuning, if you want to go that route. So, I guess you can really use any of those options!

[@justindinger9348]

Any good recommendations on C6 Western swing instructional materials? I feel like I’ve I hit a wall with my progress with C6. I also play an Open E lap steel with palm benders.

[@texas_swing]

I know Andy Volk and Cindy Cashdollar have C6 material. If you've made it through those, the Jerry Byrd course is pretty tough.

[@justindinger9348]

@@texas_swing Thank you! I will check these out.

[@davidfarrar3666]

My grand daddy's ruby red Loney lap steel has been hanging on the wall for 25 years...think I'll take her down and plunk on it.

[@texas_swing]

Have fun!

[@dylanella4924]

i'm worried about how high i have to tune the c e and g strings... i was playing in open d and i want to do c6 but it seems that i have to make the lowest strings high enough that they would snap on me

[@texas_swing]

I would definitely get a set of strings that is for C6 tuning. You can get them through the steel guitar forum. Happy steelin'!

[@ronaldtremblay4304]

Hi, I'm starting to play older gospel music! What tuning should I start with?

[@texas_swing]

You can do just about anything with C6!

[@tunnis7us]

what string gauge does the last lap steel has on the C6 tuning ? I like that sound the most.

[@texas_swing]

I think that's a 15 on top. You can buy a C6 set.

[@tunnis7us]

@@texas_swing thanks! I didn't even know there is own set of strings for lap steels until now :D

[@Cheesus4jesus]

I went with the Rogue simply based on price. I have zero musical knowledge or skill. At 60 trying to learn guitar was too much strain on my wrists. Haven't been able to find a local teacher. So my question is what's the best tuning for a Rogue and a beginner?

[@texas_swing]

It depends on what kind of music you want to play. I made a video about that, and If you check out my channel, it should come up. Have fun!

[@mapletree2009]

Can anyone demystify which set of strings to purchase for Open D tuning? I do not see a set that is dedicated for that. Which gauges, and which set to accommodate the correct tension? For both 6 string and 8 string SX Lap Steel? I don't want to just burn through all my broken strings just to figure it out. Many thanks!

[@texas_swing]

These should work: www.steelguitarshopper.com/ghs-strings-hawaiian-lap-steel-e-tuning-6-string-set/

[@mt-nv4jd]

Just a heads up on making videos. Your electric guitar is much louder than your voice level. Makes viewers turn it down for the guitar, then turn it back up for the voice. Great content though.

[@lapsteels8]

C6 for me

[@ronnie5129]

yes, i love c6 because i wanted to sound like the old hank williams recordings

[@KafeMann]

What strings do you recommend for the open D tuning?

[@texas_swing]

I think they sell open D sets on the steelguitarforum shop. Or piece them together yourself on Juststings.

[@krakencoffeeroasters3727]

Disappointed that Open E was not even mentioned for a 6 string. Interested in blues.

[@user-zc9hn2wv5x]

I really need help.I am new to lap steel guitar.I bought a budget rogue.I was able to tune it to open g,but cannot tune it C6.what type of tuner do I need I have a regular tuner but can't get it to tune the c note it goes from b to d while tuning and skips the c .no help on the Internet.Thanks for any help.Jerry

[@texas_swing]

It sounds like you are using a guitar tuner, or a chromatic tuner in guitar mode. You need to use chromatic mode, and make sure you have a chromatic tuner. You can get a cheap one online. Also, make sure you are using a set of strings designed for C6.

[@user-zc9hn2wv5x]

@@texas_swing Thanks so much.I will check into buying a chromatic tuner all I have is a regular tuner.Also will shop for c6 strings. I believe you have solved my problem.Thanks again Jerry

[@texas_swing]

@@user-zc9hn2wv5x No problem, brother!

[@bernhardnizynski4403]

I love the C6 tuning! What is the best tuning for Sleepwalk (a la Santo and Johnny)?

[@texas_swing]

C6 is what you'd probably want to use. I can't remember, but that might be the tuning he recorded it with. Any 6th tuning should work pretty well.

[@bernhardnizynski4403]

@@texas_swing - Thank you Brother! I have an inexpensive (new) lap steel that came with flatwoumd strings - I'm assuming they would be suitable for C6 tuning (I am a guitar and 5 string banjo player)?

[@texas_swing]

@@bernhardnizynski4403 No problem! Flat wounds should be fine, as long as they are the right gauges. check here:www.hawaiiansteel.com/learning/gauges.php

[@ScrewballMcAdams]

@@texas_swing What a great resource! Thanks for recommending that site. LOTS of useful info there. Steve

[@texas_swing]

@@ScrewballMcAdams glad it helped!

[@ingom6397]

P.s...have you a link to 8 strings?

[@texas_swing]

Stay tuned!

[@oinkooink]

If my song has D, G, Em and A as chords throughout the song, what's a good 6 string lap steel tuning?

[@texas_swing]

C6 has minor chords built into the tuning, so I'd go with that.

[@oinkooink]

@@texas_swingThanks for the reply, appreciate it.

[@texas_swing]

@@oinkooink no problem!

[@DonnaLane-pw4rg]

Hi! I am disabled and Left handed dominate my cousin who is a professional musician himself who has played with the likes of Waylon, Willie, Ray Price and others suggested this for me, but (Dickie my cousin) forgot to tell me all the essential other pieces I will need ex: an amp, a pedal etc Would you be kind enough to help me with this? Thank you, Respectfully yours, Donna French Lane Kingman Az

[@texas_swing]

Congratulations on getting started! I would highly recommend you check out the videos on my channel that talk about what you need to get started on the lap steel. That should answer a lot of your questions.

[@jojolapraline]

High I'm gonna buy a lap steel (Gretsch G5700) could you tell me the pulling of the strings to play in G tuning ? Regards

[@texas_swing]

Sorry, I think something was lost in translation here. If you are asking about the G tuning, it is high to low: DBGDBG. Let me know if that's not what you needed to know, and I'll be glad to help.

[@jojolapraline]

@@texas_swing I think the word exact is gauge : example D 011 , B 013, G 020 etc ....Sorry

[@texas_swing]

@@jojolapraline Ahh, got it. Use this chart: www.hawaiiansteel.com/learning/gauges.php

[@jojolapraline]

@@texas_swing Thanks 🤙

[@sesa2984]

I got two cheap Rogues. Stuck b benders on 'em. I got one tuned to C6, still trying to decide what to do with tge other one. I dislike the bluesy sound of d or open tunings. I want an all country tuning.

[@texas_swing]

If you want a pedal steel type sound, I would definitely go with open E, with a high G# on top. It depends on what the benders can do, though. You need the G#-A and B-C# changes to get the E9 pedal steel sound.

[@sesa2984]

@@texas_swing Thanks. I was only able to fit b benders on tgem. So I don't have the G, would that still be a good tuning or is there a better one?

[@texas_swing]

@@sesa2984 Any tuning that gives you a 3-4 and a 5-6 should work for that sound. If you just have one raise, I guess the 5-6 would be the best.

[@sesa2984]

@@texas_swing Thank you. I appreciate your time.

[@texas_swing]

@@sesa2984 No problem!

[@mcampbell5158]

Don't you need a very special set of strings for C6?

[@texas_swing]

You can't use just a standard guitar set, but you can get a C6 steel guitar set pretty easily, or you can just buy single strings to make a set.

[@ivanlucky1]

How to capo steel guitars?

[@kenkoellner9421]

Was the dobro tuning GBDGBD or something else? Hard to here the difference between any letter ending "ee". And no one's going to read the notes in the NATO phonetic alphabet -- Golf, Bravo, Delta.

[@texas_swing]

Yes, that is the main Dobro tuning. If you're having trouble hearing the note names, John Ely's website has the different main tunings spelled out.

[@kenkoellner9421]

@@texas_swing Thanks for the reply. I hope you took my 'NATO phonetic as the humorous quip it's supposed to be'. I just started playing square-neck and am thinking about getting an electric lap for winter when traveling as I could leave it in my car. It would help to use the same tuning, although I like the sound of that C6.

[@texas_swing]

@@kenkoellner9421 Haha, awesome! Yeah, it's great to have a little lap steel to bang around on trips with. I have one. G major is a great tuning, but C6 has a lot of versatility.

[@ghostboatsofsouthernmichig3773]

Why not use regular guitar tunning, so you Don't have to relearn everything

[@texas_swing]

You definitely could. It would be fine if you're just doing single-note licks, but the other tunings make chordal stuff a lot easier.

[@Ivory.shadesofwhitesplattered]

Your question makes me think either you’re not a slide player, or are secretly Ry Cooder. If you have mad skills, you don’t need open tunings for slide or lap single note licks - but like Texas said, if you’re chording at all, open tunings make sense.

[@user-uu5uw3th1h]

Very knowledgable but WAYYY too much theory for a newbie